Help Heather Kick Cancer

*edit* I had to increase my goal amount. More information can be found in the updates section below ❤️

Hi everyone,

I have some unhappy news to report. I was diagnosed with Triple Negative Breast Cancer on 1/3/24. Because of this, I find myself needing to ask for support.

So what the heck is going on you might ask..? Well, back in June '23 I lost my job just days before my healthcare started through my employer, cool cool cool. In August I found other FT work. After 90 days there was light at the end of the tunnel, with that sweet, sweet employer provided (that I pay for) health insurance.

In the same month that I started my new job, I found a small lump while in the shower. I immediately knew I needed to work on getting in to have it checked out. I fought for over 3 months to receive my first ultrasound, mammogram, and biopsy. Not so fun fact: my insurance didn't initially want to cover any of these due to my young age.

So what now? I've been told that the type I have is aggressive, fast growing, and only accounts to around 10-15% of all Breast Cancers [https://shorturl.at/fACLV] due to this, I started chemo prior to surgery [neoadjuvant chemotherapy]. My chemotherapy runs weekly for the first 12 sessions, then bi-weekly for 8 sessions with surgery and continued immunotherapy to follow through mid December (tbd).

Much more information and updates can be found on my Caring Bridge site. I'll have links to articles that I trust so you can learn more, as well as blog styled posts to keep everyone updated with where I'm at in treatment and what I've been up to.

https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/heatherhikes

If you are in a position to help I would greatly appreciate it. I understand that times are really tough for a lot of people, so you taking the time to read and consider really means so much. Any monetary amount will help immensely, but so do funny memes & cute animal photos sent my way. The distraction would be welcome :)

If you made it this far, dannnng thanks for reading! But seriously thank you for reading.

All my best,

Heather

Reason for my goal amount:

My goal amount includes medical out of pocket costs only for this year as well as missed work (calculated at 1 shift/week for 6 months- the total duration of my chemo). I am still planning on working as much as I can because my total expenses will exceed what I'm asking for on gofundme.

**Update as of 1/19/24** 

I received more information regarding my treatment plan. Chemo is expected to end around the end of May with surgery and more immunotherapy to follow. It's looking more like a 9-12 month process in total (chemo only being the first 5-6 months).

**Update as of 2/25/24**

My goal needs to be increased :( I have calculated my new goal to include paying a second deductible/out of pocket to the new insurance, the possibility of changing care teams, loss of income from having to quit my second job, and time off for my surgery. This new goal amount still considers that I will still be working although some weeks are now part time.